Report: Nets' Nic Claxton drawing trade interest from Hornets

The Brooklyn Nets are hoping to improve the roster as much as possible after a 2025-26 NBA season in which they finished with a lowly 20-62 record. Brooklyn will be using the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft to choose the next player that will be part of their current rebuild, but there is a chance that a roster shakeup could happen as well.

“With Charlotte considering a starting-caliber center upgrade, other centers besides Sabonis are on their radar, including Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton, league sources told HoopsHype,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported on Wednesday regarding the Charlotte Hornets. Nets center Nic Claxton is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, but there is the possibility that other teams will make a push to acquire someone of his caliber.

“In addition, it’s worth noting that the Nets have expressed interest in Hornets free agent guard Coby White in the past when he was on the Chicago Bulls, sources said,” Scotto continued. Scotto did not provide specifics on what the Hornets would give up for Claxton, but Scotto did note that there was a framework of Miles Bridges, Josh Green, and a potential first-round draft pick going to the Sacramento Kings for center Domantas Sabonis.

If the Nets are willing to part with Claxton, it will likely be for a return of young players and/or picks given that his contract gets less expensive with each passing season and he’s still playing solid basketball. Claxton, 27, averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 57.1% from the field and 61.6% from the free-throw line in 68 games played.

Claxton has been a solid contributor for the Nets over the past four seasons, but he also has two years and $44 million left on his current deal so a team like the Hornets could be willing to give up more than usual to get Claxton for the next two seasons. There hasn’t been much reporting on whether Brooklyn would be willing to part with Claxton for the right deal, but general manager Sean Marks still has to field offers during the early stages of this rebuild.

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports that there could be a trade brewing between the Nets and Hornets:

“With Charlotte considering a starting-caliber center upgrade, other centers besides Sabonis are on their radar, including Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton.” https://t.co/1Aee7XArzm

— Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) June 17, 2026

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Report: Nets’ Nic Claxton drawing trade interest from Hornets